How an Immigration Lawyer Can Help You
So you want to move to the U.S. for good but don’t know how? An experienced immigration lawyer may just prove to be your best bet in such a case. Immigration lawyers help out people who aren’t born in the U.S. but would like to become its permanent residents.
Unless you have a straightforward case, hiring an immigration lawyer could turn out to be one of the best decisions you ever made. Such a lawyer can help you navigate through a wide range of issues related to visas, green cards, U.S. citizenship, and other immigration benefits.
Immigration laws can be extremely complex. It is always better to consult an immigration attorney if you’re facing deportation or arrest because of an immigration issue, rather than get yourself entangled in the web of these legalities.
Getting legal help for immigration cases is an investment, really! It is on the basis of this process that all your dreams about having a happy future in the U.S. can materialize.
To Hire or Not to Hire a Lawyer?
Because each immigration case is different from the other, and no two applicants are the same, each application is reviewed differently. While there is no straightforward answer to whether or not you need to hire a lawyer for your immigration case, here are a few tips you can keep in mind when considering a move to the U.S.
Permitted, Not Mandatory
As per the immigration law and regulations, you are permitted to hire an attorney, but need not mandatorily hire one to prepare your immigration paperwork. You have the option of doing the paperwork yourself. Hiring a lawyer, however, does make the process more systematic and professional, especially if you’re doing this for the first time.
Use the DHS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website is a great source of information pertaining to the immigration process. It can provide you with detailed instructions as well as with the forms and other resources required to fulfill the procedure.
A Lawyer by Your Side
Keep in mind that there are a variety of forms available on the DHS website and deciding which one is right for you can be quite confusing. As mentioned earlier, the immigration laws and regulations are complex in nature and are always changing. Also, the titles of several forms can be ambiguous, which can add to the muddle.
Selecting the right form, filling it out correctly, gathering all the documents and filing it at the DHS office isn’t as easy as it may seem. An attorney can help you understand the benefits available to you, guide you with organizing and the filing process of the paperwork, and be present with you at most DHS interviews.
Some of the common reasons of hiring an immigration lawyer include green card applications, H1-B applications, denials of immigration benefits, and complications in achieving an immigrant status.
If you’re wondering exactly how hiring an immigration attorney can work in your favor, read on to know more.
Get It Right
When it comes to filling out immigration forms, it is crucial that you get things right the first time. Failing to do so can cause the immigration authorities to doubt your candidature making the process more difficult for you.
Applying for visa, or even naturalization, may seem like a piece of cake. After all, it’s all about filling out a form and you can’t get that wrong! If this is how you think, then you couldn’t be more wrong. The last thing that filling them out is is easy.
An incorrectly filled out form can delay or even completely thwart your chances of getting U.S. citizenship. If you’re unable to comprehend what is asked of you, or produce the necessary documentation, there’s a high chance that you will submit an erroneous application.
Immigration attorneys deal with such forms on an everyday basis and are adept at handling the form-filling and the document-submission process. A skilled lawyer can make the process straightforward for you, thereby removing the fear of going wrong.
Avoid Deportation
You know you need to hire a lawyer as soon as possible when you or your loved one is facing removal proceedings. Being removed from the U.S. can tear your entire family apart. But, facing removal proceedings does not necessarily imply that you have to be deported.
An experienced attorney can represent you in front of an immigration judge and make your case for being able to continue to stay in the U.S. Good attorneys know what to say and do to convince the judge to let you and/or your loved one stay in the U.S. Apart from that, they can also assist you in resolving routine issues related to expired visas and make such seemingly impossible procedures more convenient.
For Your Peace of Mind
The immigration process can take its toll on not just you, but your entire family. Whether you are applying for U.S. citizenship or are living in the U.S. illegally, having to steer the immigration process can be unpleasant for most people.
One of the most important things that an experienced immigration attorney can bring you and your family is peace of mind. You would certainly feel better about the whole situation knowing that your case is in the hands of someone who knows what he’s doing, what the laws are all about, and is aware of every option available to you.
Do bear in mind to hire an attorney from the state you reside in. If you live in Illinois, you will do well to hire an immigration lawyer in Chicago to handle your case, as he will be the best person to understand which laws are applicable in your case and which aren’t.
What Your Lawyer Cannot Do
- Filing paperwork that contains false information
- Getting you an immigration status for which you do not qualify
- Changing your ‘priority date,’ and accommodating you before someone already waitlisted for an immigrant visa or similar benefit
Conclusion
Living in America is a dream for many, and for most people living here, it is nearly impossible to envision a better life elsewhere. Deportation can be a traumatic experience for an entire family and can also take away livelihoods. It is, therefore, important to handle the process of immigration with utmost care and wisdom. While you can represent yourself, an experienced attorney can bring both these qualities to the table, which is ideal if your case is complex. The above tips should help you understand the various ways in which the services of a competent attorney can be helpful to you.